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Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Questions About Treatment & Side Effects => Topic started by: MiniPozToyota on July 27, 2011, 05:58:23 pm

Title: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: MiniPozToyota on July 27, 2011, 05:58:23 pm
Well 5:43pm 27th July 2011, starring at the bottle of Atripla sitting on the counter, ill be taking one pill tonight about 10:30pm wish me luck people. Right now my CD4 is 372 and VL around 22,000. Resistance test came back good, all hep came back -, I feel fine really wouldnt even known I was positive unless I got checked out. For everyone on Atripla can you guys give me good tips of when to take it and how you guys feel? what about eating a salad about 30mins before or after you take the pill? what if you get hungry in the night? Thanks everyone also anyone in NC pm me please
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: mikeyb39 on July 27, 2011, 06:39:11 pm
hi Minipoz,
You will do fine, I was the same way when i first started taking it, I stared at the bottle for hours anticipating all sorts of things, but nothing really happened.  When you first start taking it i would recommend eating 1.5 to 2 hours before taking it otherwise you will feel little drunk, but a salad might be ok if not a lot of fat in it.   You mostly want to stay away from fatty foods right before and after you take it.  I'd say empty stomach at first.

first few days after you take it you might feel a little flush like a warm sensation,  you will probably get the vivid dreams, but they can be fun.  first week or so you might feel a little groggy the next morning my doctor just advised me to take it a little earlier before bed and that seemed to do the trick.  i go to bed around 11pm, so I take mine about 915p.

I didn't really have any other problems to be honest, some folks get a rash that eventually will go away, I never got it luckily.  Now I take it and don't even realize i've taken it so give it a little while to get used to it i'm sure you will do fine.

good luck!
mike

 
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: mikeyb39 on July 27, 2011, 06:55:30 pm
oh and you might also wake up with some major wood the next morning...lol   this stuff is like viagra or something.  A few of us guys on here have gotten this side effect.   
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: buginme2 on July 27, 2011, 07:09:34 pm
Good luck Mini, youll do fine as Mikey said.  The first couple week can be a little rocky but it will even out.  The only recommendation I would have is the first week or so really try and stick to that not eating 2 hours before and 1 hour after you take the pill rule.  It does affect how youll feel.  At least in the begining it does.  Once you get used to it you can eat all you want and not have any problems, but in the begining....try to avoid food.

Once again youll be fine! Enjoy the boners!
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: DanMo on July 27, 2011, 08:02:06 pm
Hey Mini! Seems like we're going to be starting around the same time! I will take my very first pill Sunday night. Let us all know how your first night goes!  ;)
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: MiniPozToyota on July 27, 2011, 08:35:22 pm
Thanks everyone and will diff tell you guys how it goes from day to day hope the boners are only in the morning lol
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: MiniPozToyota on July 27, 2011, 10:52:45 pm
Aight 1 pill down in my belly, took it at 1030pm, right now its 10:46pm and im just sitting here watching tv about to go lay down in a few... these pills are HUGE!!! took it with a full glass of water guess i gotta start drinking more water now ahhh.... 
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: mikeyb39 on July 27, 2011, 11:49:22 pm
yeah i was gonna say that too, make sure you drink plenty of water, even-though you may have to get up a time or two to visit the john, i found that it helps, plus it flushes out the kidneys so thats always a good thing.
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: phildinftlaudy on July 28, 2011, 12:05:22 am
Just remember that the first few nights - if you do get up to use the bathroom - you may feel a little bit woozy or dizzy.... it wears off after a few days.  You may also experience some morning groginess early on.  After a few weeks of taking Atripla - I was able and am still able to eat right before I take it and right after - I can also still enjoy my Coronas.

Most people tolerate it very well.... There are some that can't take it or don't tolerate it as well - but it seems from what you said about your resistance test that you would have other options, if that is the case.

Oh, and get ready for some vivid dreams - we even have a thread or two on here that talks about the Atripla dreams.

Just picked up my refill tonight --- I usually try to maintain about a 60 day back up supply, just in case I would ever run in to a glitch with insurance or with the hurricanes we get down here, etc.

Looking forward to hearing how it goes for you. 

-Phil
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: Ac75088 on July 28, 2011, 12:56:27 am
Welcome to the "A Team" dude! I'm confident you will do fine..I came here looking for guidance my first night and now am glad I can give advice to new A Team members :)
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: Mp11 on July 28, 2011, 12:14:57 pm
Thanks for posting - I got my first bottle yesterday too, but ended up staring at it and falling asleep without taking the first dose.  I told my doc I probably wouldn't take the first one yesterday, but would start by the end of the weekend, so am keenly following your experiences and th advice others have posted.
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: mikeyb39 on July 28, 2011, 01:28:48 pm
Hi MP11,
Thats a good idea if you have the weekends off that way you can adjust if you need.  Its tough trying to get the courage to take that first pill, i was at the same place back in december. 
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: MiniPozToyota on July 28, 2011, 03:37:33 pm
Hey everyone, well first dose went down last night and I woke up about 10am this morning. I took at about 1030pm went to sleep at 1130pm and really didn't feel much of anything. When I was sleeping i was sleeping hard didnt roll over didn't toss and turn just straight sleep. I had a little dream but I don't remember it at all and when i woke up i felt fine maybe a little light headed but nothing serious throughout the day i feel fine don't even feel like I took a pill last night. Mp11 go ahead and take it man I was stressed about starting but really I was like taking a vitamin nothing to it. You'll be fine I'll keep posting for tonight is my second pill at 1030pm
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: hubsen on July 28, 2011, 04:17:22 pm
i started about two months ago.. Side effects are really light. Not much into it! First week was the worst in regards to being light headed... Otherwise no side effects for me - only great results  ;D

Good luck !
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: MiniPozToyota on July 29, 2011, 02:55:43 pm
Pill 2

Again didn't have any dreams, did make me pass out right away as soon as i laid down, woke up about 10am and started watching some tv, felt light headed kinda dizzy but nothing crazy its about 2:00pm now and I'm not feeling no side effects right now. So far so good...
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: Mp11 on July 29, 2011, 07:47:15 pm
Thanks Mini and Mikey - tonight is my night. Hope it's as smooth as Mini's has been the last couple days.
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: MiniPozToyota on July 30, 2011, 12:53:50 am
Took PILL 3 at 10:30pm, its now 12:51am and I'm really not feeling much of anything sitting on the bed watching tv about to go to sleep, maybe starting to get a little dizzy but nothing bad... MP11 you'll do fine from what I'm seeing on my end. Let us know how you do and good luck.
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: Coolio_7 on July 30, 2011, 03:03:00 pm
I'll be taking my second pill tonight at 11pm. I hope it goes smooth as it has  been going for you guys. I was nervous about taking my first pill last night but I looked at it as if I was just taking a vitamin (although the pill is mch bigger than the centrum men's ultra pill I take...lol)

I'm looking forward to the major morning wood though...lol
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: MiniPozToyota on July 30, 2011, 04:30:37 pm
Woke up about 9am and again felt a little dizzy, around 1100 i was feeling normal so the dizziness is starting to go down already, its 4:30pm now and I feel fine, even after being out in the sun all day (104). So far so good.  :)
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: Mp11 on July 31, 2011, 01:44:48 pm
Well, I took the plunge and swallowed the first pill just over 12 hours ago.  Pretty quickly afterward, I got a headache which has finally gone away.  I did wake up around 5 am for a bathroom trip and got to experience the dizziness and woozy feeling and then a odd bout of shivering for ten minutes (even though I wasn't cold).  I woke up this morning groggy and with a fever, but both symptoms are gone now so I'm going to try and go about the rest of my day (including a couple softball games in the heat) and see what tonight brings.

I was worried about the dreams, but didn't have any last night - or at least none that I remembered this morning.  Now that I have started, I'm supposed to call the clinical pharmacist and set up a review of how the first week goes.
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: MiniPozToyota on August 01, 2011, 12:04:19 am
Pill 4 - took it at 1030pm and its now 1202am and I'm not feeling any side effects at all or I drove to Mcdonalds and got a pineapple smoothie  :) yum, ill post tomorrow if I have any dreams or anything else happens.
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: DanMo on August 01, 2011, 12:17:24 am
I've just taken my very first pill tonight (1 August @ 00h10 UTC-5:00).

I'll be updating my thread over on the "Living" board titled "Starting Atripla" if any of you wanna follow it.

Dan

P.S.

I'm glad you're doing well on Atripla so far MiniPoz! I hope I have smooth sailing as well! :D

Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: MiniPozToyota on August 01, 2011, 12:33:55 am
Hey Dan, yeah you shouldn't have any issues man just don't think about it and go about your normal everyday thing you do, just make sure you drink plenty of water so this med doesn't harm your kidneys, liver. I'll check out your post although it might get moved to the treatment board instead of living.
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: MiniPozToyota on August 01, 2011, 02:37:38 pm
Pill 4 woke up around 10:30 its now 2:35pm and feeling no side effects, I cut the grass around 1:00pm and felt fine then as well. Seems to be doing good for side effects, lets just hope its working. Ill be going in for labs in about 24 days from now so will see...... kinda nervous about seeing if it improved or dropped down. Thanks for reading everyone and A-TEAM REPRESENTING!!!
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: MiniPozToyota on August 03, 2011, 06:30:20 pm
Pill 5 - Same 1030pm intake, and woke up at 9am without being dizzy, kinda wondering if the pill is working since i don't feel any side effects  ???
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: phildinftlaudy on August 03, 2011, 06:35:05 pm
Pill 5 - Same 1030pm intake, and woke up at 9am without being dizzy, kinda wondering if the pill is working since i don't feel any side effects  ???
LOL -
yeah, it's working.... you should start seeing results on your next lab work... I remember thinking the same thing - and sometimes I still think that because I was also one of those people with little to no side effects.

Keep on keepin' on.  Best to you.

-Phil
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: Mp11 on August 04, 2011, 06:34:39 pm
LOL - I know the feeling.  I'm on day 5 now and this was the first day with no side effects at all.  Kind of nice and hoping this is a sign of what's to come.  The first two days had me worried, but it all got progressively better from there.  At the time I didn't think I'd ever feel a good as I did pre-meds, but I seem to be about there now.
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: DanMo on August 04, 2011, 07:31:40 pm
I've been wondering the same thing! I'm on my 4th day of Atripla and I haven't really had any side effects apart from a bit of dizziness in the morning. It's good to know that others are going through the same thing! Can't wait to see my next labs!
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: Coolio_7 on August 04, 2011, 08:53:42 pm
Well I'll be taking my 7th pill tonight. However last night I could not go sleep for the life of me. I was just not sleepy. Popped 2 sleep aids and even that took about 30 minutes or so to kick in. Even so I still woke up after 4am, then again after 5 and 6 before my alarm went off at 7:10am. Needless to say I was hella tired!

I have had no other side effects except the dizziness the first few nights when I woke up in the middle of the night to take a piss. I'm wondering if this bout of insomnia will wear off or if I should switch to taking my pill in the mornings.

Do you guys think I should give it some more time? I'm thinking I probably should. But lord knows I can't be going to work sleep deprived! 
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: MiniPozToyota on August 04, 2011, 09:19:34 pm
I would give it more time, I'm taking my 6th pill here in about a hr and the side effects seems to be getting better i would stick with till about 2 weeks and then switch it to the mornings if your still tried. But for me  take it about 1030 and seems to be working fine. Also try not to thinking about it maybe your brain is making you not sleep and not the meds.  Idk though but i just take it like I'm taking a headache med. Good luck!!!
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: newbieguy on August 05, 2011, 01:05:01 pm
Hey Minipoz, I started Atripla about a year ago it is a great med. Ive done very well on it for the most part, just stick with it you will start feeling a lot better. Some have side effects, others, less so..Mine were grogginess and tiredness and a few vivid dreams the first week or so, but thats about it. Good for you for starting treatment. Im 27 going on 28 and I feel better than I have in ages.
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: MiniPozToyota on August 05, 2011, 08:26:11 pm
yeah I'm 26 now ill be 27 in Nov., so far everything has been good... thanks man pill 7  tonight
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: MiniPozToyota on August 08, 2011, 12:39:28 am
Pill 12 no issues  :)
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: phildinftlaudy on August 08, 2011, 12:42:28 am
Pill 12 no issues  :)

glad to hear -
should continue that way and hopefully you will be happy with your next lab results.
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: DanMo on August 08, 2011, 01:26:18 am
Pill 12 no issues  :)

Great to hear man! I'm on pill # 8 and no issues either.
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: Coolio_7 on August 08, 2011, 11:03:25 pm
Taking pill 11 tonight. My sleep issues seem to be resolving. I've sleep well the past 3 nights without the need for sleeps aids. And the atripla/viraday morning wood is starting! Im even getting random wood at work for no reason...lol im glad i sit at a computer and don't have to stand too much!

This is the second week so I hope no rash appears. Seems to be going good thus far.
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: MiniPozToyota on August 08, 2011, 11:16:18 pm
13th pill down in my belly no issues........    ;D
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: Mp11 on August 09, 2011, 02:48:30 pm
Glad to see everyone is adjusting well.  I had a few side effects the first few days, but they have all subsided and I've been feeling great, however, on day 8, I awoke with the infamous Atripla rash.  Today is day 11 and it is quickly fading, so I'm hoping this is a sign that I'm in the clear for the long run.  Thankfully the weather cooled off here, so I didn't get any weird looks for wearing pants and long sleeves everywhere the last few days...
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: DanMo on August 09, 2011, 03:33:35 pm
Glad to see everyone is adjusting well.  I had a few side effects the first few days, but they have all subsided and I've been feeling great, however, on day 8, I awoke with the infamous Atripla rash.  Today is day 11 and it is quickly fading, so I'm hoping this is a sign that I'm in the clear for the long run.  Thankfully the weather cooled off here, so I didn't get any weird looks for wearing pants and long sleeves everywhere the last few days...

What does the rash look and feel like?
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: Mp11 on August 09, 2011, 04:10:34 pm
It's hives - looks like any other allergic reaction and itches like one too.  For me, it was blotchy, red skin that was more prominent where I had worn tight clothing (socks, t-shirt), but eventually spread to my arms and legs.  My head remained clear.  Benedryl and hydrocortisone took care of most of the itching.

Years ago, I had a similar reaction to an antibiotic that I now consider myself allergic to.  In this case, both my doc and the pharmacist had warned me about a potential rash in week two and to not worry unless there were blisters, my tongue swelled, or I had trouble breathing.  In this case, it was just an ugly, red rash that appeared Saturday night and spread over about 90% of my body, but is quickly fading.  You can only see it on my chest/back anymore - my arms and legs are mostly clear.

Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: DanMo on August 10, 2011, 12:19:38 am
It's hives - looks like any other allergic reaction and itches like one too.  For me, it was blotchy, red skin that was more prominent where I had worn tight clothing (socks, t-shirt), but eventually spread to my arms and legs.  My head remained clear.  Benedryl and hydrocortisone took care of most of the itching.

Years ago, I had a similar reaction to an antibiotic that I now consider myself allergic to.  In this case, both my doc and the pharmacist had warned me about a potential rash in week two and to not worry unless there were blisters, my tongue swelled, or I had trouble breathing.  In this case, it was just an ugly, red rash that appeared Saturday night and spread over about 90% of my body, but is quickly fading.  You can only see it on my chest/back anymore - my arms and legs are mostly clear.



Wow, sounds uncomfortable! I'm on day 10 and nothing. I'm even starting to feel pretty normal during the day: no more dizziness.
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: DanMo on August 10, 2011, 12:19:56 am
Double post! Oops!
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: Mp11 on August 10, 2011, 01:32:50 pm
Wow, sounds uncomfortable! I'm on day 10 and nothing. I'm even starting to feel pretty normal during the day: no more dizziness.

Yep - it was difficult not to scratch all the time, but thankfully is almost completely gone.  Unless you know to look for it, you can't tell I had a rash anymore.  For me, the dizziness and cloudy head went away after the first three days, so I'm not experiencing any side effects now.  Taking it earlier (10pm vs midnight) made a huge difference.  I'd take it even earlier if it weren't for the empty stomach advice. 
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: newbieguy on August 15, 2011, 07:42:44 pm
I would second the comments made here, Atripla has been great for me overall. The first couple of weeks on it were rough, and I felt very tired, out of sorts, and woozy like drunk all day, and I got discouraged. But I stuckl with it and soon I had no issues at all and started feeling much better. You will too I am sure. I think the first couple weeks were rough for me because my body was getting used to the medication, and also it was doing its job, beating down my viral load into submission! Needless to say, after only two months on Atripla I went from a viral load in around 30,000 to undetectable! Just try and take it at the same time each day and not miss doses and you will be fine. Good luck  :)
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: MiniPozToyota on August 18, 2011, 12:06:41 am
sorry i haven't posted in a while on my post, but everything is going good, side effects are less now after umm i don't know 21 pills, i lost track i just make sure i take one everyday at 1030pm...  ;D
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: Coolio_7 on August 18, 2011, 05:14:30 pm
I'll be taking pill 21 tonight! 3 weeks thus far and no rash! Yay!! I hope I don't get any. Otherwise all is going well with me too. Seems I have hardly any side effects now. I hope this pill is working. I guess I'll see when I go for my labs at the end of this month!

I'm hoping to see a nice drop in viral load from 59k to 6000k or less. I'll keep my fingers crossed!
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: MiniPozToyota on August 18, 2011, 09:20:12 pm
going out of town for about 10days I'm bringing about 16 pills just in case i get stuck somewhere, only thing I'm hopping is i hope i don't get the rash while I'm gone.... so far been pretty good, little side effects now nothing big and i think I'm on about pill 24 maybe more...
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: MiniPozToyota on August 27, 2011, 11:14:27 pm
Hey just a little update, everything is good on Atripla been one month from today so I'm happy so far i do labs in a couple of days so will see what happens.
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: MiniPozToyota on August 29, 2011, 11:30:22 pm
Ended my 11 day trip from all over the states and bought along 16 Atripla pills just in case, well I got home today and have 5 left so i guess i didn't miss a dose yay!! and the trip went well from waking up from 630am to about 8am and normally i wake up about 830 so, everything so far is ok with the meds, i go for labs weds so hopefully everything is going good, this will be my first labs sine starting atripla....
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: Coolio_7 on August 30, 2011, 10:43:06 pm
^^I know your labs well gurn out good. I just got my labs done today after being on meds for one month also. I hoping to see a nice drop in viral load. My ID did mention that if my kidney enzymes get any higher he may refer me to a nephrologist. I'm a little anxious about that as my creatinine levels were slightly higher than normal before I started.

Otherwise I feel great and im hoping everything turns out well.
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: hope_for_a_cure on August 31, 2011, 08:53:43 am
I got home today and have 5 left so i guess i didn't miss a dose yay!!

You do have your next unopened bottle of 30 doses right? 
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: MiniPozToyota on August 31, 2011, 10:44:11 pm
0o00 no, i only brought 16 with me on my 11 day trip, i probably have damn near 60 left.. i get them every 3 months in one bottle so 90 pills total, but when I go on trips ill just put them in a baggy and bring a couple extra just in case i get caught up somewhere...
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: hope_for_a_cure on September 01, 2011, 08:02:18 am
0o00 no, i only brought 16 with me on my 11 day trip, i probably have damn near 60 left.. i get them every 3 months in one bottle so 90 pills total, but when I go on trips ill just put them in a baggy and bring a couple extra just in case i get caught up somewhere...

I am glad to read that Atripla is not causing any issues for you.  Its great you can get that 90 day supply too!  Kick that VL in the butt dude!!
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: MiniPozToyota on September 04, 2011, 10:19:44 pm
Waiting to get my labs back but my specialist went MIA so hopefully I can call him Tuesday and get them.... Wish me luck...
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: MiniPozToyota on September 06, 2011, 09:39:13 am
Well I got my results back for cd4 and on Atripla for one month went to 485, liver and kidneys are in normal range I'll get VL load later today and I'll post that when I get it....
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: MiniPozToyota on September 06, 2011, 04:26:51 pm
alright so I got my VL back and its from 41,000 to 73   ;D
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: Assurbanipal on September 06, 2011, 04:31:39 pm
Good news!

Congratulations.

A
Title: Re: Starting Atripla tonight will post DAILY
Post by: Coolio_7 on September 06, 2011, 04:35:52 pm
Congrats!! You're close to being undetectable after only a month! Way to go!!